Emerging pollutants in wastewater: a review of the literature

https://www.sewagesludgeactionnetwork.com/files/Food_Grown_in_Sludge_Emerging_Contaminants.pdf

Review of ‘emerging’ organic contaminants in biosolids and assessment of international research priorities for the agricultural use of biosolids

Phthalate esters in the environment: A critical review of their occurrence, biodegradation, and removal during wastewater treatment processes.

Phthalates are synthesized in massive amounts to produce various plastics and have become widespread in environments following their release as a result of extensive usage and production. This has been of an environmental concern because phthalates are hepatotoxic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic by nature. Numerous studies indicated that phthalates can be degraded by bacteria and fungi under aerobic, anoxic, and anaerobic conditions. This paper gives a review on the biodegradation of phthalates and includes the following aspects: (1) the relationship between the chemical structure of phthalates and their biodegradability, (2) the biodegradation of phthalates by pure/mixed cultures, (3) the biodegradation of phthalates under various environments, and (4) the biodegradation pathways of phthalates.

Jakob Aarup

Papers

Degradation of phthalate esters in an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant.